CN103384833B - Automatic analytical apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

In the case where a reagent storage means for replacement does not have a cold storage function, said reagent storage means being different from conventional reagent storage means having cold storage functions in analytical units, reagent management at a higher level is needed. Provided is an automatic analytical apparatus, which performs comparison between a time elapsed with the reagent loaded, and an allowable load limit value that has been stored by each analytical item as one of the analytical parameters, by managing the time elapsed with a reagent container loaded on a reagent storage means (2) for replacement, and which determines whether the time elapsed with the reagent container loaded exceeded the allowable load limit value or not, thereby preventing deterioration of the reagent, and automatically supplying the reagent to the analytical section that performs measurement.

Description

Automatic analysis device

technical field

The present invention relates to an automatic analysis device for analyzing samples such as blood and urine, and to a device for replacing reagent containers.

Background technique

Automatic analyzers that analyze samples such as blood and urine increase the number of samples to be processed and the number of measurement items, and the consumption of reagents increases, thereby increasing the chances of replacing reagent containers. On the other hand, in order to reduce costs such as personnel costs, it is necessary to reduce operator work as much as possible, and simplification of reagent container replacement work is desired.

In addition, since the sample processing speed of the automatic analyzer is also increased, it is desired to minimize the interruption of the analysis operation by not stopping the operation of the device during the reagent replacement operation.

For example, in Patent Document 1, unlike the reagent storage mechanism 1 located in the analysis unit, a reagent storage mechanism 2 for replacement is provided, and a reagent transport mechanism is provided between the reagent storage mechanism 1 in the analysis unit, thereby realizing reagent replacement. Simplification of operations and minimal interruption of analysis operations.

prior art literature

patent documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4033060

Contents of the invention

The problem to be solved by the invention

In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the reagent storage mechanism 2 for replacement does not have a cold storage function, as the elapsed time of placing the reagent container in the reagent storage mechanism 2 for replacement becomes longer, there is a possibility that the reagent will deteriorate. However, the elapsed time management after loading is not considered.

As for the management of the reagent placement time in the reagent storage mechanism 1 having a cold keeping function, management as described in, for example, JP 2000-310643 A is known. However, Patent Document 1 does not indicate how to manage the reagents when the reagent storage mechanism 1 for cold storage and the reagent storage mechanism 2 for storage at room temperature are mixed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of preventing deterioration of reagents and utilizing reagents effectively when a reagent storage mechanism 1 for cold storage and a reagent storage mechanism 2 for room temperature storage are mixed.

method used to solve the problem

The structure of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.

The automatic analysis device has:

a first reagent storage mechanism, which stores a plurality of reagent containers;

reagent dispensing mechanisms 37a to 37d for dispensing reagents from reagent containers stored in the first reagent storage mechanism; and

a measuring mechanism 39 for reacting the reagent and the sample and measuring the reacted liquid,

The automatic analysis device is characterized in that it has:

a second reagent storage facility that stores a plurality of reagent containers; and

a reagent container transfer mechanism capable of transferring a reagent container selected from reagent containers stored in the second reagent storage mechanism to the first reagent storage mechanism,

It also includes a measurement mechanism for measuring the elapsed time of placement of the reagent container in the second reagent storage mechanism. For example, the measurement mechanism may be a computer that controls an automatic analyzer.

The first reagent storage mechanism may have a cold keeping function, and the second reagent storage mechanism may not have a cold keeping function.

The second reagent storage mechanism may include a mechanism 21 for reading reagent information from a storage medium 35 provided to the reagent container. The elapsed placement time of the reagent container may be measured starting from the time when the reagent information is read from the storage medium 35 provided to the reagent container put into the second reagent storage mechanism.

It is also possible to store the allowable loading limit value of the reagent container of the second reagent storage mechanism, store analysis parameters of various analysis items, and store the allowable loading limit value as one analysis parameter of each analysis item. storage.

The loading allowable limit value can be read from the storage medium 35 of the reagent container, or the automatic analyzer is connected to the remote computer 41 and receives the loading allowable limit value from the remote computer 41 . In addition, an information reading unit 43 such as a disk drive that reads information from an external storage medium 42 such as a CD or DVD may be provided, and the above-mentioned loading allowable limit value may be read from the external storage medium 42 . Furthermore, it may be configured such that the above-mentioned loading allowable limit value is displayed on the screen 40 and edited from the screen 40 .

A means for detecting whether or not the elapsed placement time measured by the measurement means exceeds the placement allowable limit value is provided. This mechanism is, for example, a computer controlling the automatic analysis device. In addition, before the elapsed placement time of the reagent container exceeds the allowable placement limit value, the reagent transport mechanism that transports the reagent container from the second reagent storage unit to the first reagent storage unit may be configured to , transporting the reagent to the first reagent storage mechanism.

In addition, when the detecting means detects that the elapsed placement time of the reagent container exceeds the placement allowable limit value, a warning may be issued and displayed on the screen 40 . In addition, when a reagent container exceeding the loading allowable limit value is used for analysis, a data warning may be given to the analysis result using the reagent container.

At least one of the reagent storage mechanism for replacement or the reagent transport mechanism may be provided with an automatic reagent opening mechanism, and immediately before the reagent container is transported by the reagent transport mechanism. A mechanism for opening the reagent container by the automatic lid opening.

A mechanism may be provided that instructs the removal of the reagent container when the detecting means detects that the elapsed time on which the reagent container has been placed exceeds the expiration date setting value and the reagent container is not used for analysis.

The elapsed placement time of the reagent container may be measured and stored from the time when the reagent container is loaded into the second reagent storage unit.

The storage medium 35 can be a barcode or an RFID.

The effects of the present invention are as follows.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer that manages the elapsed time of placement of the reagent containers in the reagent storage mechanism 2 for replacement even when the reagent storage mechanism 2 for replacement does not have a cold storage function. In addition to the expiry date of the cold storage environment originally given to the reagent, the placement allowable limit value in the case of not a cold storage environment is also stored as an analysis parameter, and by comparing the placement elapsed time and the placement allowable limit value, Enables higher reagent management.

In addition, according to the present invention, by performing higher reagent management, it is possible to save reagents and samples, and further reduce the reduction in analysis accuracy due to abnormalities.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the workload on the operator such as re-measurement due to deterioration of the reagent.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the automatic analyzer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of a flow of time management of the reagent containers of the reagent storage mechanism 2 for replacement.

Detailed ways

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a top view of the automatic analyzer.

The automatic analysis device is composed of an analysis unit 10 and a buffer unit 11 .

The analysis unit 10 side is equipped with a reagent transport mechanism 27 and a reagent discharge and storage mechanism 26, and the reagent transport mechanism 27 transports the reagent container 12 transferred from the reagent storage box A28, the reagent storage box B29, and the buffer unit 11 to the reagent storage unit. The reagent storage mechanism 26 discharges the reagent container 12 on the analysis unit 10 side from the box A28 or the reagent storage box B29. On the side of the buffer unit 11, there are provided a replenishment reagent storage box 20 for temporarily holding a replenishment reagent, and a reagent discharge mechanism 25 for discharging a reagent container.

Using this device, the procedure for conveying the reagent container 12 will be described.

First, when the operator sets the reagent container 12 in the reagent input port (not shown), the reagent container 12 is moved to the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment by the reagent input mechanism 24 .

On the reagent container 12 moved to the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment, an RFID label recording information such as the remaining amount of the reagent, the batch, and the expiration date is affixed. The reagent information reading means 21 reads it and stores it in an unillustrated control computer. At this time, the reagent containers 12 that are judged by the control computer to be unusable for analysis such as expired or insufficient reagent are discharged by the reagent discharge mechanism 25 located in the buffer unit 11 .

The reagent requested for reagent replenishment is sent to the opening position of the reagent opening mechanism 23 in the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment. At the lid opening position, the reagent lid of the reagent container 12 is opened, and the reagent lid is discarded in the reagent lid disposal box 34 .

The reagent container (hereinafter also referred to as a reagent box, reagent bottle) 12 whose reagent cover has been opened is sent to the reagent container transfer position in the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment, and is transferred from the buffer unit by the reagent container transfer mechanism 22 11 to the analysis unit 10. In addition, as long as the timing of reagent replacement is within a range that does not cause reagent shortage, it is performed by using an empty period during the cutting of the sample, an interval between the first reagent dispensing and the second reagent dispensing, and the like. When it is too late, the sampling of the sample is interrupted, and the loading of the reagent is carried out after the dispensing of the reagent to the sample before the interruption is completed. In any case, the state of the device is in analysis, and since the reagent is replenished without temporarily stopping the device, it is possible to shorten the analysis interruption time.

The reagent cartridge 12 transferred to the analysis unit 10 is set on the reagent rotation mechanism 32 provided in the analysis unit 10 . In the reagent rotation mechanism 32 , the direction of the reagent bottle 12 is changed in the direction required to mount the reagent cartridge 12 on the reagent storage box A28 or the reagent storage box B29 .

The reagent bottle 12 whose direction has been changed is moved by the reagent transport mechanism 27 to the reagent storage box A28 or the reagent storage box B29, which requires reagent replacement. After the reagent transport mechanism 27 moves the reagent bottle 12 to the reagent storage box A28 or the reagent storage box B29, the remaining amount of the reagent decreases, so that the reagent container 12 to be replaced is turned upside down and removed from the reagent storage box A28 or the reagent storage box. B29 moves to the reagent discharge storage mechanism 26 . In the reagent discharge storage mechanism 26, the reagent container 12 is moved to the reagent storage section in the reagent discharge storage mechanism 26, and the reagent container 12 is stored before the operator takes it out.

Hereinafter, reagent management using the replenishment reagent storage box 20 using this device will be described in detail.

As described above, reagent information is held for each analysis item for each of the various analysis items. As for the reagent information, conventional reagent information such as reagent ID, batch information, and the amount of reagent dispensed at the time of measurement are recorded, and in addition to these reagent information, the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment is also recorded. Information about the allowable limit values for loading. This placement allowable limit value information is set as an initial value for each analysis item, the same as the validity period of a normal cold storage state. Depending on the analysis item, it can be set in units of hours within a numerical value of 0 to 24, or can be set in units of minutes within a numerical value of 0 to 1440. At this time, the measurement of the elapsed placement time of the reagent containers 12 in the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment starts from the time when the reagent information reading means 21 reads them. In addition, the timing to start the measurement is preferably the time when the reagent container 12 is set in the reagent inlet of the reagent inlet mechanism 24 .

The loading allowable limit value of the reagent information is set as an initial value, but in consideration of the environmental conditions of each facility, seasonal conditions, etc., in order to perform higher reagent management according to each environmental condition and the reagent management awareness of the operator, the operator Editing may be performed from the display screen 40 or the like.

Using the placement allowable limit value of the reagent information and the measured placement elapsed time of the replenishment reagent storage box 20 , a control computer (not shown) determines whether the placement elapsed time exceeds the placement allowable limit value. The reagent container 12 is transported from the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment to the reagent storage box A28 or reagent storage box B29 on the analysis unit 10 side by the reagent transport mechanism 27 until the elapsed loading time exceeds the loading allowable limit value. For example, when the elapsed placement time is within one hour of the placement allowable limit value, it becomes a transfer candidate from the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment to the reagent storage box A28 or the reagent storage box B29 on the analysis unit 10 side. For transporting the reagent container from the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment to the reagent storage box A28 or the reagent storage box B29 on the analysis unit 10 side, it is assumed that the reagent container does not interfere with the mechanism such as the reagent detector on the analysis unit 10 side. The resulting analysis interruption reduces the throughput of the device. If it becomes a transport candidate, due to other important factors with high urgency, such as the decrease in the remaining amount of the reagent container in the reagent storage box on the analysis unit 10 side, the reagent container can be transported from the timing when the analysis unit is stopped and transported, and the transport can be carried out. Candidates can minimize analysis interruptions due to replacement and maintain throughput.

And, for example, when the loading allowable limit value of the reagent container 12 is 0 in advance, that is, the loading allowable limit value of the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment is 0 hours or 0 minutes, it is determined whether the reagent container 12 can be filled with the reagent as soon as possible. The transport mechanism 27 transports the reagent storage box A28 or the reagent storage box B29 on the analysis unit 10 side. Alternatively, when the remaining time allowed for placement of the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment is 0 hour/minute or less, it can be transported to the analysis unit 10 side, thereby entering the sampling stop mode, (on the transport line in the analysis unit) After the sample dispensing of the rack and the dispensing of the R2/R3 reagent probe are completed), the reagent container is transported to the reagent storage box A28 or the reagent storage box B29 on the analysis unit 10 side. In this case, reagents can also be transported in a priority order based on a set value. In addition, when a reagent container is placed in the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment, it is preferable to store the reagent container with its lid closed in order to prevent deterioration of the reagent. Therefore, it is preferable to open the reagent cover just before transportation.

When the measured elapsed placement time of the reagent container 12 exceeds the placement allowable limit value by any means, a warning is issued on the display screen 40 to notify the operator. At this time, when the reagent container 12 is not used for analysis, the operator can designate the reagent container 12 to be transported to the reagent transport mechanism 25 or to be transported out through the display screen 40 . In addition, when the operator designates a reagent for analysis, the reagent cap of the reagent container 12 is opened at the cap opening position, and the reagent is sent to the analysis unit 10 . In addition, a data warning is given to a measurement result for a reagent that exceeds the allowable loading limit value and is used after measurement. Here, it is also possible to set the loading elapsed time with data alarm on the screen 40 . In addition, in the case of stopping the sampling and transporting it to the analysis unit 10 side, it is estimated that the time taken until the end of the dispensing operation is about 30 minutes. It is preferable for the operator to be able to set on the screen 40 the measurement result of the 0.5-hour reagent, the provision of a data alarm, and the like.

In addition, by writing the recorded result of the measured elapsed placement time of the reagent container 12 into a storage medium such as RFID attached to the reagent container 12, the relationship between the measurement result of the sample and the state of the reagent can also be grasped. In addition, it is conceivable that the reagent containers placed in the replenishing reagent storage box 20 for a certain period of time are not transported to the analysis unit 10 side at one time by an instruction from the operator or the like, but are transported out. In this case, since the recording result of the elapsed time of placement in the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment is stored in the RFID attached to the reagent container 12, when the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment is put into the storage box 20 again, the elapsed time of placement is stored as the The measurement is continued for the cumulative time of the total elapsed time of placement of the RFID until the previous time. Therefore, when the reagent container is loaded into the reagent storage box 20 for replenishment, when the elapsed placement time of the reagent container approaches 0 or within 0.5 hours with respect to the placement allowable limit value, it is possible to supply the reagent to the analysis unit side as soon as possible. Safe deposit box for transport.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the details of reagent management after being loaded into the replacement reagent storage mechanism 2 of the present invention.

First, it is recognized that the reagent container has been loaded into the replacement reagent storage mechanism 2 (step S1 ).

The measurement of the elapsed placement time of the second reagent storage unit starts from the time when the reagent container was recognized (step S2 ).

The elapsed time is added as a variable in minutes or hours.

Next, the elapsed placement time of the reagent container is compared with a predetermined allowable placement limit value, and it is determined whether the elapsed placement time exceeds the allowable placement limit value (step S3 ).

If it exceeds, it is determined in step S4 whether the reagent can be transported to the analysis unit, and if it can be transported, the reagent is transported to the analysis unit (step S5 ).

If it cannot be conveyed, a warning is issued in step S7, and the comparison between the elapsed placement time and the prescribed placement allowable limit value is continued (step S3).

In Step 3 , when the elapsed loading time of the reagent does not exceed the predetermined loading allowable limit value, the control computer (not shown) inquires whether there is a reagent transfer instruction for the reagent (Step S6 ).

If there is no transfer instruction, the measurement of the elapsed placement time is continued, and the comparison between the elapsed placement time and a predetermined placement allowable limit value is continued (step S3 ).

In step 6, if there is a reagent transfer instruction, it is determined in the next step, step S4, whether it can be transferred to the analysis unit, and if it can be transferred, it is transferred to the analysis unit in step S5. If it cannot be conveyed, the elapsed placement time is further compared with a predetermined placement allowable limit value (step S3 ).

Explanation of symbols

10—Analysis unit, 11—Buffer unit, 12—Reagent container, 20—Reagent storage box for replenishment, 21—Reagent information reading mechanism, 22—Reagent transfer mechanism, 23—Reagent opening mechanism, 24—Reagent input mechanism , 25—Reagent discharge mechanism, 26—Reagent discharge and storage mechanism, 27—Reagent handling mechanism, 28—Reagent storage box A, 29—Reagent storage box B, 32—Reagent rotation mechanism, 34—Reagent cover waste box, 35—Storage Medium, 37—reagent dispensing mechanism, 39—measurement mechanism, 40—screen, 41—remote computer, 42—external storage medium, 43—information reading unit.

Claims (17)

1. an automatic analysing apparatus, it possesses:

The first reagent Custodian, the multiple reagent containers of its keeping;

Reagent diving and withdrawing machine structure, it divides and gets reagent in the reagent container of this first reagent Custodian from keeping; And

Measure mechanism, it makes described reagent and specimen reaction and measures this reacted liquid,

Described automatic analysing apparatus is characterised in that to possess:

The second reagent Custodian, the multiple reagent containers of its keeping; And

Reagent container carrying mechanism, it can be transferred to described the first reagent Custodian by the reagent container of selecting in the reagent container of this second reagent Custodian from keeping,

The mounting elapsed time that also possesses the reagent container to described the second reagent Custodian is carried out the instrumentation mechanism of instrumentation,

Described automatic analysing apparatus is stored the mounting tolerance limit value in the reagent container mounting elapsed time of described the second reagent Custodian,

Whether the mounting elapsed time that described automatic analysing apparatus also possesses being measured by described instrumentation mechanism exceedes the mechanism that described mounting tolerance limit value detects,

Before the mounting elapsed time of described reagent container exceedes described mounting tolerance limit value,

By the reagent carrying mechanism of carrying from described the second reagent Custodian to described the first reagent Custodian, reagent is carried to described the first reagent Custodian.

2. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

Described the first reagent Custodian possesses cold insulation function, and described the second reagent Custodian does not possess cold insulation function.

3. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

Described the second reagent Custodian possesses the mechanism of the storage medium reading reagent information from giving described reagent container.

4. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 3, is characterized in that,

Taking moment of the storage medium reading reagent information from giving the reagent container of putting into described the second reagent Custodian as starting point, the mounting elapsed time of described reagent container is carried out to instrumentation.

5. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

Store the analytical parameters of multiple analysis project, an analytical parameters using described mounting tolerance limit value as each analysis project and storing.

6. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

Described reagent container has storage medium, reads described mounting tolerance limit value from the storage medium of described reagent container.

7. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

This automatic analysing apparatus is connected with remote computer, receives described mounting tolerance limit value from described remote computer.

8. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

Possess the information reading part from exterior storage medium reading information, read described mounting tolerance limit value from this exterior storage medium.

9. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

On picture, show described mounting tolerance limit value.

10. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 9, is characterized in that,

Can be from loading tolerance limit value described in picture editing.

11. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

Exceed described mounting tolerance limit value in the case of detected the mounting elapsed time of described reagent container by described testing agency,

Give a warning and show on picture.

12. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

Exceed described mounting tolerance limit value in the case of detected the mounting elapsed time of described reagent container by described testing agency,

For the measurement result of this reagent container for analyzing, give warning to measurement result.

13. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

In at least one of described the second reagent Custodian or described reagent carrying mechanism, possess the cap-opening mechanism of reagent,

And possessed before being about to by described reagent carrying mechanism carrying reagent container and utilizing this cap-opening mechanism to open the mechanism of this reagent container.

14. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

The mounting elapsed time possessing in the case of detected described reagent container by described testing agency exceedes the indicating mechanism taking out of that indicates this reagent container described mounting tolerance limit value.

15. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

The moment that the mounting elapsed time of described reagent container is put to described the second reagent Custodian from this reagent container starts to carry out instrumentation, storage.

16. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 6, is characterized in that,

Described storage medium is bar code.

17. automatic analysing apparatus according to claim 6, is characterized in that,

Described storage medium is RFID.